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Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Fri, 08/08/2008 - 18:27
Hi, everybody. I just joined this site yesterday. I saw a forum where a few people were discussing transitioning to generic lamotrigine (just released) from Lamictol. But now I can't seem to find the forum. I'm considering the generic switch and am wondering if anyone's done it yet, gotten advice on it, etc. Please help! (Or let me know where to find yesterday's forum! It's not coming up in the search.)

Comments

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by david1962 on Mon, 2008-09-29 - 01:23

I have been taking Lamictal for about 4 years now, its been the best drug I have ever used. Just last month out of the blue they switched me to a generic so I paid the extra premium. I have Blue Shield insurance has this happened to anyone elese

FYI: You can get coupons and cards for discounts from the manufacture, last month they sent me a card for my refills worth $50.00 per prescription off what ever you pay or your co-pay.

I have been taking Lamictal for about 4 years now, its been the best drug I have ever used. Just last month out of the blue they switched me to a generic so I paid the extra premium. I have Blue Shield insurance has this happened to anyone elese

FYI: You can get coupons and cards for discounts from the manufacture, last month they sent me a card for my refills worth $50.00 per prescription off what ever you pay or your co-pay.

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by zaraband on Sat, 2008-10-04 - 11:13
When my mail-away pharmacy (associated with Anthem) switched to generic Lamictal, I began having side effects, which I never with Lamictal. About an hour after I take it, I get dizzy, nauseous and have trouble with balance. I have had a minor seizure and several "auras". My neurologist  said that generics may contain less than  brand names -- sometimes up to 80% less, so he increased the dose. However, he insists that the generic is not causing the dizziness, nausea, and imbalance and refused to prescribe the brand drug.  I went to my PCP to see if I had some other problem; he could not identify a reason for my symptoms.   I am going to the local pharmacy today to find out the cost of Lamictal. If I can afford it, I will ask my PCP to prescribe it; he did entertain the possibility that the generic is at fault.

Re: Lamictal - switch to generic lamotrigine?

Submitted by twin1 on Wed, 2009-02-11 - 19:32

Damn insurance companies.  My insrance company wanted me to pay a $1000 co-pay for Lamictal, so I had to go with the generic - Lamotrigine.  ($10 co-pay... can't argue with that, I guess.)  Anyway, I am so relieved (but sorry) to find someone with similar side-effects.  Dizzyness, nausea, and balance problems about an hour after taking it.  I was taking 350mg Lamictal before the switch, and 350mg of the generic still seems to work.  I tried a stronger dose when I first started it, because the doc had also told me that generics may contain less than brand name.  Turns out that that wasn't true for me, though.  It's all relative.  So if your neurologist is insisting that these side-effects aren't from the meds, tell him to kiss off. 

-Heather.

Damn insurance companies.  My insrance company wanted me to pay a $1000 co-pay for Lamictal, so I had to go with the generic - Lamotrigine.  ($10 co-pay... can't argue with that, I guess.)  Anyway, I am so relieved (but sorry) to find someone with similar side-effects.  Dizzyness, nausea, and balance problems about an hour after taking it.  I was taking 350mg Lamictal before the switch, and 350mg of the generic still seems to work.  I tried a stronger dose when I first started it, because the doc had also told me that generics may contain less than brand name.  Turns out that that wasn't true for me, though.  It's all relative.  So if your neurologist is insisting that these side-effects aren't from the meds, tell him to kiss off. 

-Heather.

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